The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Royal stag in Scottish hands
Monarch of the Glen publicly owned after £4m fundraising drive
The Monarch of the Glen painting will remain on public display after a successful £4million fundraising drive.
The 1851 work by Sir Edwin Landseer, which features the image of a stag in a misty Highland landscape, has been acquired by the National Galleries of Scotland (NGS).
Privately owned by drinks giant Diageo, the painting has been on display at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh for the last 17 years.
The c o m p a ny a nnounced last year its intention to sell the painting and agreed to waive half of the expected £8million asking price to help it remain in public view in Scotland.
NGS led a fundraising drive with support from the public, the National Lottery, the Art Fund, the Scottish Government, private trusts and foundations that has now secured the future display of the Monarch of the Glen.
NGS director-general Sir John Leighton said: “We are thrilled that we have been able to secure this iconicworkfor the national collection. The enormous support from the public has been incredible with donations coming from all over the world and from the length and breadth of Scotland and the UK.
“Thank you so much to everyone who has donated. Your gift has helped to ensure that this magnificent work will be enjoyed by millions of people for generations to come.”
David Cutter, Diageo’s senior director in Scotland, said: “We are very happy to have partnered with the NGS and to see the positive outcome of that with the Monarch of the Glen passing into permanent public
“We are thrilled that we have secured this iconic work”
ownership in Scotland for the first time in its history.”
There are now plans for it to go on tour around Scotland with funding from the National Lottery and Scottish Government.
Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “I am delighted that NGS has secured the funding required to ensure the iconic Monarch of the Glen can remain on permanent public display in Scotland. The overwhelmingly positive response to the public fundraising underlines the painting’s importance.”